Into the stadium chapel

Although we went into the stadium for the chaplains' service on Friday, Saturday was my first time of duty there. In addition to the 'Oases of Silence' in each hotel we are also responsible for a chaplaincy presence in the stadium chapel, and I was on duty there for the first athletics events of this Championship. The work is similar to that in the Oases but more focussed on the athletes in competition. The two Oases are open from 7am - 10pm each day for people just to drop into for quietness or for prayer. There are Bibles in various languages available if people want them, and there is also water and biscuits available if people want to stay and be quiet for a while. Although there are some Christian symbols around, the Oases are open to those of all faiths and none. One or more chaplains are present from 7-10am, from 12-2pm, and from 9-10pm each day for people to talk to if they wish. During each of these periods there is at least one led devotional time. These are widely advertised, as is the chaplaincy hotline number, so that we are available 24 hours per day. Now that the Championships have started, the chapel in the stadium is open during all competition times, with 2 chaplains available. This is mainly for competing athletes as it is adjacent to the 'mixed zone' through which they all have to pass on their way back from the track or infield, but others whose security accreditation allows them there can use it too. Here chaplains are available for times of joy and times of difficulty - and there were both during my first duty there. I was very moved when an athlete came in after her event and honoured God in her own traditional way and then just left the chapel quietly with a small wave to me. There are tensions though due to our proximity to the visual media, some of whom find it very strange to have a chapel there and keep asking what viewers will think if they seeing a chapel in the background of an interview. Our prayer as chaplains is that we and the media can both do our respective jobs in a complementary way